A ‘man in the middle’ for your MIDI
The PianoHack sits between your MIDI controller and your sound module or DAW. It takes incoming MIDI notes and outputs all the right notes based on the chord button you select. Hit a wrong note? It comes out as the closest right note. Already know your chords? All your right notes stay right.
Your MIDI controller
Launchpad, Launchkey, or any piano-style MIDI controller you already own.
Wrong notes become right notes
Chord remapping, bass accompaniment, key changes, scales, and riffs — all in real time.
Your sounds
Any DAW, MIDI sound module, or app — the PianoHack outputs MIDI only.
Diagram In the Key of C with the 1 chord pressed, the three “wrong” black keys you played (C♯, D♯, F♯) come out as the three notes of the C major triad — C, E, and G.
Everything you need to play with confidence
Chord remap buttons
13 chord keybed remap buttons in an isomorphic layout — intervals always have the same shape, so the same fingering works in every key.
Quick key change
Change the key of a song at the touch of a button. Learn a pattern once, play it in any key.
Chord variations
10 variations per chord button — major, minor, 7ths, sus4, diminished, augmented and more — for the songs that bend the rules.
Bass accompaniment
Lower bass notes for chord roots and inversions on their own MIDI channel, with their own sound.
1-Button Chords & Scales
Hold a full chord with one button while you work out melodies and solo across four selectable scales.
1-Button Riff
16 riffs of up to 47 notes each, played one note at a time with your rhythm, timing and dynamics. Edit them with the free One-Riff Editor.
Plus double layering of MIDI sounds, a stop-all-MIDI panic button, and output across separate MIDI channels so every feature can have its own sound. See the MIDI channel map →
Anyone who wants real piano-style chording
Non-players and musicians, beginner to advanced — anyone who would like to add real piano-type chording to their music and play in a natural piano style.
The PianoHack was developed by a bass player to play background chords and melodies, live and in the studio. Bass and guitar players, music producers, and music lovers get long-lasting productivity out of it, regardless of musical experience. Read the story →
Read the manual first — it lists everything you need
The PianoHack works alongside MIDI hardware you provide: a programmable controller, a MIDI merge unit, and a sound source. The user manual lists all the prerequisites in detail, so you know exactly what your setup needs before purchasing.
Set up faster with ready-made files
Templates & downloads
Pre-built component files for Novation MK3/MK4 controllers and routing profiles for CME merge units — already programmed for you.
Browse downloads →Software tools
Free single-page apps like the One-Riff Editor — use them online or download them. No installs needed.
Open the tools →Videos
Watch how to set up and perform with the PianoHack, live or in the studio, on the official YouTube channel.
Watch videos →Where to buy
The PianoHack will be available on Etsy and on Tindie, the marketplace for DIY electronics. Official store links will be announced here.
Etsy store
The official PianoHack Etsy listing is coming soon.
Want to be notified, or have a question before buying? Send a product inquiry.